The County

Mark Barnes-cover

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine -- April 20, 2021 -- Retired Presque Isle Police sergeant Mark Barnes stands next to his patrol car after signing off from his final day on the job. (Courtesy of Paula Barnes)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine -- April 20, 2021 -- Retired Presque Isle Police sergeant Mark Barnes stands next to his patrol car after signing off from his final day on the job. (Courtesy of Paula Barnes)

Retired PIPD sergeant reflects on years of service to community

On April 20, Presque Isle Police Sergeant Mark Barnes left the station after his final day on the job. Police chief Laurie Kelley drove Barnes home in his patrol car, the blue lights flashing as they stopped in front of his home.

News Browse News

SAD 1 expects to enter next fiscal year in ‘good financial shape’

For the third consecutive year, SAD 1 is expecting to keep its fiscal year budget flat, resulting in no increase in local property taxes.

Ludlow, Linneus vote to join new ambulance service

The prospect of a new ambulance service in southern Aroostook strengthened on Wednesday, May 12, as the towns of Ludlow and Linneus voted in special town meetings to officially join the new service.

Remnants of old Houlton town hall and fire house discovered during parking lot renovation

It was supposed to be a routine renovation of the parking lot adjacent to the Houlton Town Office. But when the pavement was being removed Thursday, May 12, town officials noticed something amidst all the dirt and mud.

RSU 39 budget sees slight reduction this year

The RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm) Board of Education unanimously approved the 2021-22 school budget on May 5. The final budget came in at $19,814,324, a $378 reduction from last year’s budget of $19,814,702.

Limestone, New Sweden preparing for elections and town meetings

Limestone and New Sweden will both hold their elections and town meetings in June, with elections happening before the annual town meetings.

Peter-Paul elected to third term as Aroostook Band of Micmacs chief

The Aroostook Band of Micmacs have reelected current chief Edward Peter-Paul to another four-year term as tribal chief.

Crime and Courts Browse Crime and Courts

Presque Isle Criminal Docket, January 2021

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Presque Isle Courthouse in January.

Caribou Criminal Docket, January 2021

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Caribou Courthouse in January.

Houlton Criminal Docket, January 2021

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Houlton Courthouse in January.

Grand Jury hands up 57 indictments for April

A Crystal man who was arrested after another person was shot in what police described as an act of domestic violence was among the 57 individuals indicted by the Aroostook County Grand Jury in April.

Caribou Criminal Docket, December 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Caribou Courthouse in December.

Houlton Criminal Docket, December 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Houlton Courthouse in December.

Sports Browse Sports

Wisdom boys racking up baseball wins

The Wisdom Middle/High School boys varsity baseball team split a doubleheader with Ashland on Wednesday in St. Agatha, but the Pioneers have retained a winning season thus far.

Hodgdon fells Fort Fairfield in Wednesday baseball matchup

Hodgdon welcomed visiting Fort Fairfield during a matchup between the two teams on May 12, and then proceeded to defeat the Tigers by a score of 14-3.

Caribou defeats Fort Kent for first baseball victory of the season

The Caribou Vikings faced off against Fort Kent during a Friday, May 7, game, securing a 7 to 1 victory.

Hodgdon edges Washburn in Saturday softball matchup

Although the weather was cold and windy, Hodgdon’s bats were hot as they defeated visiting Washburn 15-5 in the two teams’ first matchup of the season on Saturday, May 8.

Aroostook Huskies Football offers youth flag football

The Aroostook Huskies football team is gearing up for a busy summer session and is seeking interested players.

Tiger Basketball Camp returns after year off

The Tiger Basketball Camp is returning for its 35th year this summer after a one-year break due to COVID-19. This year’s camp will be held from June 21-25 for girls and June 28-July 2 for boys.

Business News Browse Business News

Customer Service Award

The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce presented an Outstanding Customer Award to the staff of Theriault Equipment on the Caribou Road in Presque Isle. Customer Shawn Lahey nominated the company.

City hall renovations to begin, staff relocate

Renovations to Presque Isle City Hall will begin on the first floor on Monday, May 17.

Limestone, New Sweden preparing for elections and town meetings

Limestone and New Sweden will both hold their elections and town meetings in June, with elections happening before the annual town meetings.

Presque Isle truck bypass diverting traffic from downtown

Increased outreach, signage and public notices have helped divert large truck traffic from Presque Isle’s Academy Street to the $16.8 million truck bypass opened in 2019.

EMDC and Katahdin Region Development Board welcome new Katahdin Region economic development director

Millinocket resident Peter Jamieson has been selected by Eastern Maine Development Corporation and the Katahdin Region Development Board to serve as Katahdin Region economic development director.

United Way of Aroostook holds online auction to make positive changes

In a time when in-person events have not been feasible, United Way of Aroostook decided to create an online auction that will be crucial to the success of the United Way of Aroostook Campaign.

State, National and World News Browse State, National and World News

Cross Lake group plans virtual meeting on watershed plan

A virtual public meeting about the Cross Lake Watershed-Based Management Plan will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, via Zoom, hosted by the Friends of Cross Lake.

Bill inspired by First Mile Brewing in Fort Kent becomes law

A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash and Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth to support small businesses in the food and beverage industry was signed into law by Gov. Janet T. Mills on March 17.

Caribou narrowly becomes Aroostook’s third Second Amendment sanctuary city

Caribou City Council narrowly voted in favor of becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary city on March 22. The resolution sends the message that the city is opposed to any unconstitutional restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms for its residents.

Houlton sets public hearing date on visitor center sale for April 12

The Houlton Town Council held its first meeting regarding the proposed sale of the Visitor Information Center, with a public hearing set to take place on April 12.

Living Browse Living

Wintergreen offers 19 weekly arts camps in three locations this summer

Registration is now open for Wintergreen Art Center’s Summer Arts Program.

Cooking with Susie Q – Week of May 17, 2021

I have to tell you, the people I work with are amazing. Funny, friendly, hardworking and like family. Please, the next time you deal with a salesclerk, cashier, or stocker in your favorite store, wherever that may be, please use kindness.

Limestone planning a week of Independence Day events

The town of Limestone will host a week’s worth of events leading up to Independence Day this year, starting on Monday, June 28, and ending with fireworks over Trafton Lake on July 4, with a rain date set for July 5.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Encounter with an icon

As we got closer to the landfill, we could see multitudes of scavengers circling the mountain of refuse below them. Ravens, seagulls, and other bird species soared above us, their sharp ocular skills fine tuned and prepared to guide them downward where they would masterfully snatch each edible morsel without hesitation.

Boosting retirement security for Mainers’ golden years

There is an estimated $7.7 trillion gap between the savings American households need to maintain their standard of living in retirement and what they actually have. Only half of American workers believe that they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement.

Hospital staff have served heroically

National Hospital Week is May 9 through May 15. Perhaps no other year in more than a century has the impact of the community hospital been more critical than this past year during the COVID 19 Pandemic.

County Candids Browse County Candids

Ducks on a winter pond

Despite the 20-degree temperature, ducks swim in the pond at Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle on Friday morning, Jan. 8.

When life hands you snow…

A happy-looking snowman greets visitors to this home on Downing Place in Presque Isle.

Raging Meduxnekeag

Raging Meduxnekeag

Frosty Monday morning

"Frost on the pumpkin" turned into white stuff Monday morning, Oct. 26, as the Presque Isle area saw its first visible snowfall.